In this episode, Jacob and Bill sit down with Tom Nelson, founding pastor of Christ Community, to explore the concept of "design-based giving." They discuss how generosity is more than simply giving—it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s design and priorities, particularly when it comes to stewarding finances and supporting the local church. Together, they unpack biblical wisdom, practical principles, and the long-term impact of ordered, intentional generosity.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. Design-Based Giving Anchors Generosity in Biblical Wisdom

Tom Nelson emphasizes that generosity is not just about giving wherever and whenever, but instead following a biblically informed framework for how, where, and why we give (02:28, 05:06).

2. The Local Church is “Plan A” for Giving

The podcast highlights the biblical pattern of prioritizing the local church in our giving (16:35–18:36). Tom Nelson argues that the “first fruits” of our wealth should primarily support the local church, describing it as the enduring institution at the center of God’s plan (17:18, 18:10).

3. Generosity Reflects the Ordering of Our Loves and Participates in God’s Joy

Generosity is ultimately about the ordering of our hearts—what we love most (12:22, 23:29). Giving our best (“first fruits”) reflects love and honor for God and aligns us with his generous nature (10:54, 11:11). Living into this design brings joy and freedom, as we become outpourers reflecting the image of our generous Creator (07:01, 08:22, 39:08), and invest our lives in things that outlast us (32:37).

Resources:

The Economics of Neighborly Love: Investing in Your Community's Compassion and Capacity: Nelson, Tom: 9780830843923: Amazon.com

https://cckc.church/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Exploring-Gods-Design-for-Generosity-12.19.pdf

Timestamps:

00:01:31 — Jacob Nannie frames the conversation by asking why generosity alone is not enough without biblical wisdom, prompting the introduction of "design-based giving."

00:04:49 — Tom Nelson defines design-based giving, explaining its scriptural roots and distinguishing it from a needs-based or haphazard approach.

00:09:07 — Tom Nelson clarifies the paradigm shift from self-centered ownership to other-centered stewardship, anchoring the idea that "God owns it all."

00:16:32 — Tom Nelson describes the biblical foundation for prioritizing the local church in giving, drawing connections from Old Testament tithing to the New Testament.

00:37:51 — Tom Nelson shares his hope for a new generation to have a reordered love, centering the love of Jesus expressed most fully in loving and supporting the local church.

Keywords

Generosity, Giving, Design, Stewardship, Church, Tithe, Legacy, Wealth, Abundance, Joy, Love

Institution, Family, Worship, Firstfruits, Imagination, Ownership, Sacrifice, Community, Flourishing